Drying a sun Odyssey 379 against piles/wall

[davef]

I'm used to drying boats against piles, but now have a fin keel Jeanneau 379. I have read the previous posts in the forum but am still not sure if anyone has actually tried it without damage. 

I am anxious that it may not balance on the keel and rock back damaging the rudder or tip forwards, even after taking as much weight off as possible.... Clearly paying for lift outs every year would be safer but is it really necessary? We have a very safe, protected drying maintenance bay at the RAF yacht club.

Before I take the risk it would be very helpful to hear any experience or advice?

[Zanshin]

Considering that every boat I've seen can be stored on the hardstand with the weight supported by the keel and prevented from tipping over by stands I'd be shocked if your boat couldn't do the same!

What risk do you see that wouldn't also be present when hauling out on land?

[mikebnz]

My DS43 is heavily weighted at the stern, without props it would tip back onto the rudder. So your concern is valid. You will probably need some props to prevent it tipping forward or back.

[Bora]

We do this regularly at my local yacht club in Scotland, we just make sure that the boat is well fendered and then run the halyard to a hard point ashore, lightly tension it at high water and hang a weight or bucket from it, this helps to make sure she settles on the right side as the tide comes down (assuming you're not there at the time.) The bottom is a firm sand, I used to do it with my shoal draft SO37.

If you're worried about her falling backwards maybe put a support under while you work but i've never seen it at our club.

[davef]

Thanks Findhorn (and others)


That's helpful, do you know if the 379 is very stern heavy or if any boats were damaged? I'm very tempted to give it a go, as it will save a lot of money over the next decade....but by the time I find out..... with tide dropping, it'll be too late to bale out!

[Bora]

I’ve not seen with the 379 but could always keep the fwd tank (if she has one) full and empty the aft. Maybe keep some burly friends on standby with a case of beer for the long wait if she does feel a bit light in the bow.

When dry(ing) I wouldn’t have any more than one person onboard and would avoid the extremities where possible but even at 116kg I was happy to walk bow to stern.